Lessons of the Prophet’s Life

LESSONS OF THE PROPHET’S LIFE was acting under divine inspiration: perhaps that is why he remained calm when he heard of the Quraysh’s reaction. However, he was informed by his spies that Khalid ibn alWalid, intent on blocking the Muslims’ path, had advanced with two hundred cavalrymen to Ghamim. On hearing this, the Prophet changed route, deviating from a wellfrequented path to a little-known and arduous route, which led him to Hudaybiyyah. In this way he avoided clashing with Khalid’s army. This is how the historian Ibn Hisham describes the events: “Who can show us a path not occupied by the Quraysh?” the Prophet asked. Someone volunteered to do so. He then guided the Muslims by a route which led through arduous, rocky and mountainous passes. The Muslims had great difficulty in crossing these passes, but when they had done so and emerged upon an open plain, the Prophet called on them to seek the forgiveness of God and turn to Him. This they did, and the Prophet said that this was the word of forgiveness, which the Israelites had been called upon to utter, but they had failed to do so.37 This was a trying time for the Muslims, but they faced their trial with patience and forbearance. This was the path laid down for them by God. Even the slightest hesitation to follow that path was considered a transgression, for which forgiveness had to be sought. Therefore, the Prophet urged his followers to repent and seek forgiveness for any weakness or irritability they may have shown at that taxing